Since the earliest medical, philosophical, and literary texts in ancient civilizations, madness has posed some basic issues: how to separate sanity from insanity, to distinguish mental and bodily illnesses, and to specify the variety of internal and external forces that lead people to become mentally ill. This book explores the answers to these questions that have emerged over time and concludes that current portrayals are not much improved compared to those that emerged thousands of years ago. The puzzles that madness presents are likely to remain unresolved for the foreseeable future and perhaps forever.

When the first edition of Psychiatry in Transition came out, Dr. Gene Usdin wrote that "to read Marmor's papers is to read not only psychiatric history, but also where that history will be in the next decade." That next decade has happened, and Marmor's papers remain a beacon of professional endeavor. This second edition includes a final chapter on "Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy," in which the historical background of brief psychotherapy, focusing on the contributions of Freud, Ferenczi, Rand, and Alexander, is examined and synthesized. Throughout, certain basic themes stand out. First is the necessity for building upon a solid foundation of scientific thought, coupled with a readiness to change theories that do not fit with established facts. Second, Marmor offers a systems theory to replace simplistic, unitary, or linear theories. Third, he presents some common denominators for illuminating the divergent views that characterize contemporary psychiatric theory and practice. The whole is linked by a deep concern with betterment of the human predicament. Marmor demonstrates that causation in psychiatry can be optimally understood in terms of multiple interacting variables rather than as a response to unitary factors. He foreshadows and predicts developments that are now current in contemporary psychiatric practice, such as the relationship between neurochemistry and behavior, and group therapy with dynamic psychotherapy. He also deals with the importance of cultural and socioeconomic factors in individual personality development. The work concludes with a series of chapters on interethnic hostility, nationalism, and urban violence. Marmor's work clarifies the nature of the psychoanalytic process by liberating it from obscurantism and jargon. This book points the way toward unraveling some of the cognitive dissonance in this area. As Leon Eisenberg observed, this is "an admirable vade mecum of dynamic psychiatry both for residents in training and clinicians in practice."

Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical Practice: The DSM-IV Edition, represents the state of the art of contemporary psychodynamic psychiatry. This updated text presents the basic theoretical principles of dynamic psychiatry and the major treatment modalities, including individual therapy, group therapy, family/marital therapy, pharmacotherapy, and dynamically informed hospital treatment. "This book, like the previous edition, is well written. Complex ideas are presented lucidly, and case vignettes often complement the more factual and theoretical discussions. The book is highly recommendable to all trainees for an up-to-date overview of the role of psychodynamic psychiatry in various clinical syndromes and clinical settings". American Journal of Psychotherapy

History -- Theory -- The therapy process -- Evaluation -- Future developments.

Offering a sophisticated introduction to a contemporary psychodynamic model of the mind and treatment, this book provides an approach to understanding and treating higher level personality pathology. It describes a specific form of treatment called "dynamic psychotherapy for higher level personality pathology" (DPHP), which was designed specifically to treat the rigidity that characterizes that condition. Based on psychodynamic object relations theory, DPHP is an outgrowth of transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) and is part of an integrated approach to psychodynamic treatment of personality pathology across the spectrum of severity -- from higher level personality pathology, described in this volume, to severe personality pathology, described in a companion volume, Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality: Focusing on Object Relations. Together, they provide a comprehensive description of an object relations theory-based approach to treatment of personality disorders, embedded in an integrated model of personality. As a guide to treatment, Handbook of Dynamic Psychotherapy for Higher Level Personality Pathology provides a clear, specific, and comprehensive description of how to practice DPHP from beginning to end, presented in jargon-free exposition using extensive clinical illustrations. The authors offer a comprehensive description of psychodynamic consultation that includes sharing the diagnostic impression, establishing treatment goals, discussing treatment options, obtaining informed consent, and establishing treatment frame. Throughout, the book emphasizes fundamental clinical principles that enable the clinician to think through clinical decisions moment-to-moment and also to develop an overall sense of the trajectory and goals of the treatment. Among the book's benefits: Takes a diagnosis-driven approach, presenting a clear model of both the psychopathology and its treatment; Explains underlying theory and basic elements of DPHP for those first learning dynamic therapy; Offers an integrated, innovative synthesis of contemporary psychodynamic approaches to personality pathology and psychodynamic psychotherapy; Describes goals, strategies, tactics, and techniques of the treatment to demonstrate its flexibility over a relatively long course of treatment; Provides sophisticated discussion of integrating dynamic psychotherapy with medication management and other forms of treatment. DPHP offers a broad range of patients the opportunity to modify maladaptive personality functioning in ways that can permanently enhance their quality of life. Handbook of Dynamic Psychotherapy for Higher Level Personality Pathology provides experienced clinicians with a hands-on approach to that method, and is also useful as a primary textbook in courses focusing on the technique of dynamic psychotherapy or in courses on psychodynamics.

Presenting a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to conducting psychodynamic therapy, this engaging guide is firmly grounded in contemporary clinical practice and research. The book reflects an openness to new influences on dynamic technique, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and positive psychology. It offers a fresh understanding of the most common problems for which patients seek help -- depression, obsessionality, low self-esteem, fear of abandonment, panic, and trauma -- and shows how to organize and deliver effective psychodynamic interventions. Extensive case material illustrates each stage of therapy, from engagement to termination. Special topics include ways to integrate individual treatment with psychopharmacology and with couple or family work.

Whereas psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy have traditionally avoided focusing too much on specific symptoms or problems--lest they interfere with free association--this new guide articulates the value of more active and symptom-focused interventions. Having worked on focused psychodynamic treatments of panic disorder, depression, trauma, and behavioral change, Fredric Busch, M.D. expands on that work here, articulating how a focused approach can be adapted for patients in general. Drawing on a wealth of case vignettes, the book describes how to apply Problem-Focused Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PrFPP) to symptoms, personality issues, behavioral problems, and relationship difficulties. It provides novice and experienced clinicians alike with the tools they need to help patients identify problem areas and understand how specific dynamics emerge in different contexts and overlap in contributing to issues. The psychodynamic techniques readers will glean in these pages demonstrate how to rapidly address core difficulties, expanding patients' self-reflective capacities and the identification of their own dynamics--even in the case of short-term interventions.